Exodus 27:16 kjv
And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.
Exodus 27:16 nkjv
"For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. It shall have four pillars and four sockets.
Exodus 27:16 niv
"For the entrance to the courtyard, provide a curtain twenty cubits long, of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen?the work of an embroiderer?with four posts and four bases.
Exodus 27:16 esv
For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. It shall have four pillars and with them four bases.
Exodus 27:16 nlt
"For the entrance to the courtyard, make a curtain that is 30 feet long. Make it from finely woven linen, and decorate it with beautiful embroidery in blue, purple, and scarlet thread. Support it with four posts, each securely set in its own base.
Exodus 27 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 26:1 | "Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked." | Materials of Tabernacle curtains |
| Exo 26:31 | "And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, with cherubim skillfully worked on it..." | Veil separating Holy Place and Most Holy Place |
| Exo 26:36-37 | "You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework... with five posts of acacia..." | Screen for Tent entrance (similar materials, different context) |
| Exo 35:25 | "Every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen;" | Voluntary offerings and skilled work |
| Exo 36:37 | "They also made the screen for the entrance to the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework," | Construction detail, repetition for emphasis |
| Lev 1:5 | "...he shall slaughter the bull before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall present the blood and throw the blood all around against the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting." | Location: at the entrance to the tent |
| Num 3:37 | "The posts of the court all around, and their bases, and their pegs, and their ropes." | Levites (Merarites) charge of the posts/bases |
| Num 4:6-8 | "Then they shall put a covering of porpoise skin on it... cover it with a cloth of blue; and they shall put on it poles. And on the table of the bread of the Presence they shall spread a cloth of blue..." | Significance of colors in covering holy objects |
| Psa 24:3-4 | "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart..." | Condition for approaching God's presence |
| Isa 1:18 | ""Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." | Scarlet symbolizing sin and purification |
| Jdg 8:26 | "...and the purple garments that were on the kings of Midian..." | Purple as a sign of royalty/high status |
| Jer 10:9 | "Silver beaten into plates is brought from Tarshish... from Uphaz, dressed in blue and purple..." | Colors associated with valuable foreign goods |
| Jn 10:7-9 | "So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves... I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved..." | Christ as the exclusive "Door" or access |
| Jn 14:6 | "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." | Christ as the only "Way" to God |
| Matt 27:28 | "...and put a scarlet robe on him..." | Jesus' suffering and mock royalty |
| Eph 2:18 | "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." | Access to God through Christ's work |
| Eph 2:20 | "...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone," | Christ as the fundamental "foundation" |
| Heb 4:16 | "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." | Confident approach to God's presence through Christ |
| Heb 9:3 | "Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Most Holy Place," | Veil distinction (inner vs. outer access) |
| Heb 9:19 | "For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people," | Scarlet wool in Old Covenant rituals for cleansing |
| Heb 10:19-20 | "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)," | New access to God through Christ's sacrificed body |
| Rev 19:8 | "it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints." | Fine linen symbolizing purity and righteousness |
Exodus 27 verses
Exodus 27 16 Meaning
Exodus 27:16 describes the detailed specifications for the entrance gate of the Tabernacle's outer court. This gate was to be a decorative screen, twenty cubits in length, intricately woven with blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, alongside fine twined linen. It was supported by four posts standing on four bronze bases. This verse delineates the appointed point of entry into the sacred space of God's dwelling, emphasizing divine order, costly materials, and symbolic colors, all pointing to the holiness of God and the designated means of approach.
Exodus 27 16 Context
Exodus 27 details the instructions for the Tabernacle's outer court, following the plans for the Holy Place and Most Holy Place (chapters 25-26), the ark, table, menorah, altars, and coverings. This verse, Exodus 27:16, specifically describes the eastern gate, the sole entry point into the court that enclosed the Tent of Meeting and the Altar of Burnt Offering. Historically, these intricate details reflect God's command for precise construction of His dwelling place among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. The design ensures order, distinction between sacred and common, and controlled access, visually signifying the holiness of God and the necessary conditions for His people to approach Him.
Exodus 27 16 Word analysis
- For the gate (שַׁעַר, sha'ar): Signifies the appointed point of entry. It suggests controlled access, not an open field. This foreshadows Christ as the exclusive way to approach God.
- of the court (חָצֵר, chatzer): Refers to the outer enclosure, the accessible area surrounding the main Tent of Meeting. It's the first boundary one crosses to enter the consecrated grounds.
- there shall be a screen (מָסָךְ, masach): This term denotes a covering or a barrier, often made of fabric, hung across an entrance. Unlike a solid door, it implies an inviting entrance, yet still marking separation. It’s distinct from the veil (פָּרֹכֶת, parokhet) that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, which barred direct entry. The screen invites but defines the boundary of sacred space.
- twenty cubits long (עֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה, esrim ammah): A precise measurement, equivalent to approximately 30-36 feet. This emphasizes divine order, exactness, and the unyielding nature of God’s commands. Every detail of God’s dwelling place was intentional.
- woven of blue, purple, and scarlet yarns (מַעֲשֵׂה רֹקֵם תְּכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן וְתוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי, ma'aseh rokem tekhelet v'argaman v'tola'at shani): These are costly dyes and meticulous craftsmanship.
- Blue (tekhelet): Associated with heaven, divinity, grace, and revelation. It reminds one of God's dwelling above the sky, His heavenly origin, and transcendence.
- Purple (argaman): Historically, this color was incredibly rare and expensive, made from specific shellfish, thus symbolizing royalty, kingship, and wealth. It points to Christ as King of kings.
- Scarlet (tola'at shani): Derived from crushed grubs (cochineal insect), it represented blood, sacrifice, and redemption. This vividly points to the atoning sacrifice of Christ, by which sins are forgiven.
- and fine twined linen (וְשֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר, v'shesh mashzar): Refers to pure, white, intricately woven linen, signifying purity, holiness, righteousness, and the unblemished nature required to approach a holy God. It foreshadows Christ’s righteousness and the imputed righteousness given to believers.
- with four posts and four bases: These structural components provided support and stability. The "posts" (עַמּוּדֶיהָ, ammudeyha) were the upright supports, and the "bases" (אֲדָנֶיהָ, adaneyha) were the bronze sockets providing stability at the foundation. They represent the strength and divine foundation of God’s plan of access.
Exodus 27 16 Bonus section
The "screen" (מָסָךְ, masach) of the outer court gate, while providing entry, served a different purpose than the "veil" (פָּרֹכֶת, parokhet) within the Tabernacle, which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The screen offered an inviting entrance to the court for any worshiper, while the veil restricted entry to the high priest only once a year on the Day of Atonement, highlighting the deeper separation of God's presence from sin. The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' death (Matt 27:51) symbolically fulfilled the "veil's" purpose, signifying that full, direct access to God's presence was now available to all believers through Christ's shed blood and sacrificed flesh (Heb 10:19-20), much as the gate served as the primary entry for the people.
Exodus 27 16 Commentary
Exodus 27:16 details the gateway into the Tabernacle’s outer court, a crucial feature designed by divine instruction. The "screen" served not as a solid barrier but as an adorned entrance, inviting access yet defining the boundary of God's sacred dwelling. Its rich, symbolic colors—blue for heaven and divinity, purple for royalty, scarlet for sacrifice and redemption, and white fine linen for purity—were a profound visual theology. This entry point, fashioned from such valuable and meaningful materials, was distinct from pagan temple entrances that were often guarded by idols or obscure rites. Here, God designated a visible, beautiful, yet clear pathway. This screen foreshadows Jesus Christ, who declared, "I am the door" (Jn 10:9) and "the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6). Through His divine nature (blue), His kingship (purple), His atoning blood sacrifice (scarlet), and His perfect righteousness (fine linen), believers gain access to God’s presence, no longer restricted by physical barriers, but by faith in the completed work of Christ.